If...

only! My fantasy wardrobe for this week.

Dark Materials

I have a love/hate relationship with jewellery... basically, I love jewellery and hate the fact I can't afford the jewellery I love. Whilst I don't care for expensive fine jewellery (diamonds are most certainly not my best friends), I do still have a preference for good quality fashion pieces. Hence my personal collection is rather sparse and sorry with a few throwaway bits handmade by me or from vintage/high street shops here and there.

So you can understand why much of my internet meanderings centers around looking at jewellery online - virtually pressing my nose up against the shop window without having to pretend I'm seriously looking to purchase something (or even seriously able to purchase something should I wish). My current obsession centers around pieces with an animal theme, preferably with a macabre edge.

All of the above are on my current Wish List... I especially desire the Unicorn ring from Fleather, which looks amazing when worn three-in-a-row knuckle duster style. The Wolf and the Wild West animal skull rings are both from Alkemie, whose collection (made entirely from reclaimed metals thus bypassing the social and environmental issues surrounding the mining of commodities including metals) is very menagerie-like featuring foxes, owls and stingrays amongst other creatures.

The Stag ring designed by Digby & Iona is slightly more delicate (rather than dainty!) and is also available with diamond encrusted eyes if you are partial to a bit of sparkle. Pamela Love's designs all have a strong fantasy/mythical theme without being mystical (there's a fine line!) and her Bird Skull ring would look great worn with well, anything really. And last but not least there is the Three Skull ring from Delfina Delettrez which is perfect for a winter wardrobe with a gothic twist... it also comes in a single skull and a double skull design, in silver as well as the gunmetal finish shown in the picture. Line them up knuckleduster style on one hand for maximum impact!

Wanted: One Indian Summer

Just when I had finally accepted that summer was actually over and psychologically prepared myself to welcome back knits and furs and boots into my life, I saw these photos by Neil Krug...

These stylish and dreamy photos are taken from PULP, a book born from a collaboration between Neil Krug and supermodel Joni Harbeck. The fantasist at the heart of me immediately fell in love with the fierce spirit and romance of these images - they encapsulate the grainy film stills of cult Pulp movies so perfectly. The fantasist at the heart of me also fell in love with the styling of Joni Harbeck... Native American accessories, check. Feathers galore, check. Tribal face paints, check.

I am now left longing for hot dusty sunsets, where the sun is bronzed and low in the sky before the bite of the night air has yet to emerge. Mainly so I can indulge my sartorial urges and wear feathers with oversized tee shirts and bare legs...

But alas, the reality is that it is November and I find myself in E8. I am simply going to have to wait for at least 6 months to sate these particular sartorial whims. Having looked through various S/S 10 show photos I also noted that the Inter-Continental Tribal trend of S/S 09 has migrated 5 degrees north/south of the Equator, taking Tribal and making it more specifically Tropical.

Which brings me to BrokenFab who's beautifully hand-beaded jewellery have been on my internet wish-list for an age. BrokenFab are based in East London and also specialise in textile design in addition to beadwork. The latest collection is named Disco Beads Vol. 1... so think Tribal inspired designs in modern colour palettes meets a dancefloor in Hackney. Perfect for wearing in a high-impact style - layer up several pieces at once over a bright canvas of jumpsuits or draped jerseys... and see you on the dancefloor!